UMass (2-6) vs. UConn (1-6) Game Preview

What’s Going To Happen

Something good has to happen for one of these two troubled teams.

UConn’s defense only gave up 38 points in the loss to USF last week – that looks like the 2000 Baltimore Ravens compared to what it was over the first half of the year. And now it has to deal with the high-octane UMass offense.

The Minutemen are putting up big yards and lots of points, but they’re not winning. But now, they get to play a defense their own size.

Even in a 24-13 loss to Coastal Carolina, the passing game still worked, with Andrew Ford throwing for 326 yards as part of a 390-yard day from the UMass passing attack – but he’s out. Over the last three weeks, the O has put up just over 1,200 yards through the air … and lost all three games. Fortunately, Ross Comis is a veteran option who can keep it all going.

The UConn pass defense is awful, but the run defense is worse. But last week against USF, QB David Pindell got rolling on the ground with a 197-yard day and two scores – he has to get ready to get going right away to control the time of possession battle against a UMass defensive front that’s been abysmal, allowing 300 rushing yards or more in four of the last six games.

UConn can run the ball. UMass can’t.

Both offenses will have a whole lot of fun trading haymakers against each other’s miserable defense, but the Huskies will have a bit more offensive pop on a consistent basis.